IPLab:Lab 12:COPD

Clinical Summary[edit]

This 64-year-old man was hospitalized because of increasing shortness of breath, cough, increasing sputum production, and fever. The patient had a 75 pack-year history of cigarette smoking. On admission his respiratory rate was 20 breaths per minute and his pulse was 110 bpm. On room air his PaO2 was 46 mm Hg, his PaCO2 was 62 mm Hg , and the pH was 7.26. Chest x-ray showed a low, flattened diaphragm, and markedly lucent regions in the upper lung fields suggesting areas of emphysema. Despite appropriate therapy he suffered acute respiratory failure and could not be resuscitated.

Pertinent autopsy findings included emphysema with moderate mucous plugging of bronchi. Right ventricular hypertrophy and dilation were also noted.

Images[edit]

This gross photograph of lung taken at autopsy demonstrates the degree of emphysematous change (arrows). Also note that the rest of the lung is consolidated, indicating a pneumonia.
This is a higher-power view of the lung showing the emphysematous change.
This low-power photomicrograph of the lung demonstrates the enlarged air spaces indicative of emphysematous change.
This higher-power photomicrograph of the lung shows more clearly the enlarged air spaces indicative of emphysematous change.
This gross photograph of the heart taken at autopsy demonstrates right ventricular hypertrophy and dilatation (arrows).